Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/10/2026. You must include qualifying specialized experience employment periods in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume; Failure to include all requirements in your resume may result in disqualification. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS4. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or educationas described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge and skills in drawing blood for a variety of tests, from a variety of sites using a variety of methods. Knowledge of specimen labels to ensure completeness, appropriateness, and priority for efficient handling. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leasing to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects appropriate to the position to be filled (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application.). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application.) Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion with considerable walking and long periods of standing. It requires frequent bending, and occasional moving of heavy supplies (40 pounds or more). The work environment is a fast-paced area with a high degree of multitasking. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring patient contact. There is the risk and discomfort of handling various body fluid specimens. These risks include infectious material, carcinogenic materials, caustic agents, noxious fumes, flammables, and needle sticks. Because of working with potentially human pathogens, the technician exercises great care to protect him/herself and coworkers from infections by conforming to all established safety procedures, using Universal Precautions, and sterile techniques, as well as maintaining a clean and organized work area. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.